Although a claim is made for the month by the bloodstone, or heliotrope, the
modern day March birthstone – as adopted by the American National Association of
Jewelers in 1912, is the aquamarine. Sharing the celebration of the 16th wedding
anniversary with the topaz, the aquamarine has the 19th all to herself. She's a
hardy stone as well, rating a respectable 7.5 -8 on Mohs scale. To a large
extent, the aquamarine is immune to scratches.

A member of the beryl family, the aquamarine is sometimes referred to a 'blue
beryl'. The name 'aquamarine' is, of course Latin. It translates as 'water of
the sea', which in turn, gives a clue as to its color. Interestingly, although
beryl comes in many colors, the name 'beryl' comes for the Greek 'beryllios',
which means 'blue/green like sea water'.

According to some sources, beryllios was the stone in the breastplate of Aaron
which stood for the tribe of Asher. From some descriptions, the stone could have
been an aquamarine.